KAFUE 60M SOLAR PROJECT STARTS

PRESS STATEMENT ON SOLAR POWER PLANT FOR RELEASE TO THE MEDIA ON AUGUST 24, 2017 (ELECTRONIC MEDIA)

Construction of a FIFTY FOUR mega watt solar power plant at a cost of SIXTY Million US Dollars has commenced in KAFUE District.

Indian contractor, STERLING and WILSON, has since assured the nation that the task to add FIFTY FOUR mega watts to the national grid will be accomplished within EIGHT months, by May 2018.

Company Head of Human Resource for the Northern Region ATUL GOYAL says FIFTY TWO hectares of land in KAFUE will be utilized for the project at a site located about TWENTY kilometres south east of LUSAKA, in KAFUE District.

Mr. GOYAL has clarified that President EDGAR LUNGU directed Industrial Development Corporation- IDC, to drive the urgent development and installation of at least SIX hundred Mega Watts of solar power countrywide, in order to tackle the power deficit in Zambia.

He says the project is important as it promotes clean energy adding that it will result in skills transfer because it is on a Build, Operate and Transfer – BOT basis.

This came to light when Mr. GOYAL paid a courtesy call on Zambia’s High Commissioner to India JUDITH KAPIJIMPANGA at the Zambian Chancery in New Delhi, India.

And KAPIJIMPANGA says investing in Zambia’s energy sector is the finest move especially that electricity tariffs are now cost reflective.

She says the project will not only profit the over 2 million citizens of LUSAKA and KAFUE but Zambia as a whole and the eight neighbouring countries.

Mrs. KAPIJIMPANGA says the mission will do everything feasible to support the project as the Country is in a hurry to develop thus urging the contractor to employ youths during the 8 months contract duration.

She says Zambia has managed to avoid conflict and havoc that has marked much of Africa's post-colonial history, earning itself a status for political stability.

This is contained in a statement made available by First Secretary Press and Tourism at the Zambian Mission in New Delhi, India, BANGWE NAVILEY.